New York Giants: 3 promising UDFAs who could lose opportunity due to no pre-season

The 2020 season is going to pose many different problems for NFL teams, specifically when it comes to late-round draft picks and undrafted free agents. Without a preseason, the New York Giants will have to make difficult decisions with some of their more high-upside players.

Head coach Joe Judge confirmed that they will lessen the roster to 80 players. With wide receiver, Da’Mari Scott opting out of the 2020 season, and Leonard Williams being placed on the non-football injury list, they decided to cut a bevy of practice squad players. Several undrafted athletes didn’t make the cut, but some still remain on the roster but will have a hard time earning a cemented job due to the circumstances.

Three UDFAs the New York Giants might have to cut:

1.) Javon Leake

Leake is an exciting young player out of Maryland. Over three seasons, Leake returned 59 kicks for 1,445 yards and three touchdowns. He’s not the most versatile runner, but he brings strength and explosive straight away speed. He can break tackles and fight for extra yards, which makes him a decent kick return specialist.

I don’t believe he will see the New York Giants’ backfield anytime soon, as he sits behind Saquon Barkley, Dion Lewis, and Wayne Gallman. With that being said, it will be extremely difficult for him to make the roster. He could land on the practice squad, but his best shot is showing elite kick return skills during training camp.

2.) Austin Mack

Mack, who is an Ohio State product, is 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds. In 2019, he posted 361 yards and three touchdowns. He has some solid upside and is a decent route runner, but he will also be battling former teammate Binjimen Victor for a roster spot. He has decent strength and balance as a receiver, but he only has 19 starts at the collegiate level.

It will be difficult for him to land a roster spot, and having suffered a foot injury last year, he was already at a disadvantage. There is room for development and adaptation, but he simply doesn’t have the time to impress with no pre-season.

4.) Kyle Murphy

Another undrafted free agent, the New York Giants, landed this off-season was Kyle Murphy out of Rhode Island. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 302 pounds, Murphy has solid physical traits to develop into a decent offensive lineman. Playing in 43 games and starting in 36 as an offensive tackle, Murphy has the ability to swap positions and move around the line.

General manager Dave Gettleman is notorious for spotting underrated talent in the trenches, and he could be one of the next big finds. However, there are several undrafted players fighting for roster spots, and the Giants might not have room for him.

I anticipate he will land on the practice squad, and hopefully, given a regular 2021 season occurs, Murphy could push for an active spot in the future.